The world of Tzu Chi September 2023 (Vol.147)

20 By the Tzu Chi Documenting Team Photo by Ch’ng Kooi Tick pecial Feature Healthcare Beyond Medicine Your Food, Your Well-being The 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey revealed that 1.7 million individuals in Malaysia were facing the challenges of elevated blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels, which are significant risk factors for several serious health conditions. Individually and collectively, they can lead to the development of various chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and obesity. Thus, the question: Can we prevent and reverse these conditions? H ippocrates, the Father of Western Medicine, said, “Let food be thy medicine.” Amidst diverse opinions on dietary choices, modern medicine is increasingly recognising the substantial health benefits that a whole-food plant-based (WFPB) diet can offer. Against this backdrop, a magnificent drum performance by the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chapter’s drum team marked the 2023 • 09